Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;diamond sky&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Diamond Sky’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong and slightly elongated leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; white-colored flowers with yellow-colored labellum and a small number purple-colored spots surrounding the column; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: Rene Schoone

Filed: Feb. 10, 2021

Ser. No.: 63/147,984

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of thisprovisional U.S. Patent Application.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application,Floricultura B. V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Mar. 18, 2021,application number 2021/0828. Foreign priority is not claimed to thisEuropean Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior artexception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior tothe filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filingdate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Diamond Sky’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Nantou, Taiwan and Heemskerk, TheNetherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop newfast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leafshape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns andcoloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination on May27, 2014 in Nantou, Taiwan of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Harck Pearl’, notpatented, as the female, or seed, parent with Phalaenopsis hybrida‘Nankung's 4.55 pm’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. Thenew Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inHeemskerk, The Netherlands in August, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince August, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Diamond Sky’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Diamond Sky’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong and slightly elongated leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. White-colored flowers with yellow-colored labellum and a        small number purple-colored spots surrounding the column.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Harck Pearl’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Harck Pearl’ in flower color as plants of the newPhalaenopsis have white-colored flowers with yellow-colored labellum anda small number purple-colored spots surrounding the column whereasplants of ‘Harck Pearl’ have white-colored flowers with a large numberof purple-colored spots.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent, ‘Nankung's 4.55 pm’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Nankung's 4.55 pm’ in flower color as plantsof the new Phalaenopsis have white-colored flowers with yellow-coloredlabellum and a small number purple-colored spots surrounding the columnwhereas plants of ‘Nankung's 4.55 pm’ have white-colored flowers with alarger number of purple-colored spots.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Big Time’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants ofthe new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Big Time’ inflower shape as the curvature of the lateral lobe of the lip of plantsof the new Phalaenopsis is much less than the curvature of the laterallobe of the lip of plants of ‘Big Time’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant. The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1)is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Diamond Sky’grown in a container. The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is aclose-up view of typical flowers of ‘Diamond Sky’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the late summer and earlyautumn in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk,The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used incommercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when thephotographs and description were taken. During the first twelve monthsof production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C.During the final six months of production of the plants, daytemperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures rangedfrom 18° C. to 20° C. During the production of the plants, light levelsranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Sky’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Harck Pearl’, not            patented.        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Nankung's 4.55 pm’, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to            30° C.        -   Root description.—Thin, fibrous; typically light yellowish            white in color; actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,            each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            14.8 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 35.8 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 38 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            six leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 14.7 cm.        -   Width.—About 7.5 cm.        -   Aspect.—Uptight to slightly outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Oblong to narrowly obovate; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal obtuse.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 2.3 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.3 cm. Sheath color: Close to 144B.        -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B; venation,            close to NN137A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            to 146A to 146B; venation, close to 143A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about            twelve flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching            inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with            three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal            transformed into a labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about seven weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 27.6 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 14 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.8 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm by            1.5 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to a blend of            145A and 150A; distally, close to N144D.        -   Flower size.—About 7.8 cm (vertical) by 8.3 cm (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 3.2 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4 cm. Width: About 5.1 cm.            Shape: Reniform; slightly concave. Apex: Obtuse to rounded.            Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Texture and luster,            lower surface: Smooth, glabrous, slightly velvety; matte.            Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to NN155C; towards            the base, close to 187B and 187C. When opening, lower            surface: Close to 155C; towards the margins and apex, close            to NN155C; and towards the base, close to N187D. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; towards the base,            close to N79C and 187C; venation, close to NN155D; color            does not change with subsequent development. Fully opened,            lower surface: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to            N187D; venation, close to NN155D; color does not change with            subsequent development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 1.7 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1.2 cm. Length, central lobe: About            2.7 cm. Width, central lobe: About 9 mm to 19 mm. Shape,            lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Ovate to            roughly deltoid. Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central            lobe: Broadly retuse with two recurved cirrose tips, about            1.5 cm in length and about 1.6 mm in width. Margins, lateral            and central lobes: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and            lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety; matte.            Callosities: Located at the base of the labellum and            attachment point of the lateral petals; about 4 mm in            length, about 6 mm in width and about 5 mm in height. Color:            When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155D;            basal margin, close to 2B; and at the base, close to 187B.            Central lobe: Close to 154B and 1B; towards the apex, close            to NN155D; apical margin, close to 164A; cirrose tips, close            to NN155D; and at the base, close to N186C and 187B to 187C.            Callosities: Close to 4C to 4D; distally, close to N186C.            When opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155C;            basal margin, close to 2A; and at the base, tinged with            close to N187D to lighter than N187D. Central lobe: Close to            157C to 157D; towards the apex, close to NN155C; margins,            tinged with close to 154B and 154C; apical margin, close to            164A; cirrose tips, close to NN155C; and at the base, close            to lighter than N187D. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to NN155D; basal margin, close to 13B; and at            the base, close to 187A to 187B. Central lobe: Close to 9B;            towards the apex, close to NN155C; apical margin, close to            164B with fine dots, close to 166B; cirrose tips, close to            NN155C; and at the base, close to N186C and 187B to 187C.            Callosities: Close to 11A; distally, close to a blend of            N186C and 200C. Fully opened, lower surface: Lateral lobes:            Close to NN155C; basal margin, close to 12B; and at the            base, tinged with close to N77C and N77D. Central lobe:            Close to 155A; towards the apex, close to NN155C; margins,            tinged with close to 7D; apical margin, close to 164A;            cirrose tips, close to NN155C; and at the base, close to            N187D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:            About 4.5 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.8 cm. Length,            lateral sepals: About 4.5 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            3.4 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly elliptic. Shape,            lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Obtuse to            rounded. Apex, lateral sepals: Obtuse. Base, dorsal and            lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals:            Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety;            matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface:            Close to 157D; occasionally with one to three large dots,            close to 187A and 187B. When opening, lower surface: Close            to 150C; towards the margins and apex, close to 157B. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; occasionally with            one to three large dots, close to 187B and 187C. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to NN155B to NN155C; towards            the margins and apex, close to NN155D; occasionally with one            to three large dots, close to N79D. Color, lateral sepals:            When opening, upper surface: Close to 157A; towards the            base, close to 145C with dots, close to 187B and 187C. When            opening, lower surface: Close to 150B; towards the margins            and apex, close to 150D; towards the base, dots, close to            187C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; towards            the base, close to 145D and 157A with dots, close to N186D            and 187B. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 145C and            145D; towards the margins and apex, close to NN155B; towards            the base, dots, close to N79D and N187C.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 44.4 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            144C; dense fine dots, close to 147A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.8 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 60° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 144C; distally, close to 150D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.            Column width: About 7 mm. Column color: Close to NN155B.            Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two            pollinia): About 2.25 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 17B.            Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 4 mm. Stigma width: About            6 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to 155C.            Ovary length: About 9 mm. Ovary diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary            color: Close to 149C to 149D. Seeds and fruits: To date,            seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants            of the new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate high temperatures about 40° C. and are suitable    for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘DiamondSky’ as illustrated and described.